Chapter 3 - Non-Wood Forest Products, Markets, and Trade

Abstract

Nonwood forest food products are continuously harvested from indigenous forests and other woodlands mostly in rural areas for household’s subsistence needs and income generation. These resources, particularly the food products and medicinal plants as well as several other products from grasses and fibres, are widely traded in domestic markets in both rural and urban areas. However, the availability is considerably dwindling as a result of several factors such as unsustainable harvesting practices, the increasing encroachment in most forests and woodlands, deforestation and the expansion of forest land for agricultural production. These anthropogenic activities have resulted in the disturbance of the integrity of the environment and increased greenhouse gas emissions. This chapter highlights the constraints, the socioeconomic importance of edible wild roots, tubers and bulbs, employment creation and poverty reduction potential in Zambia.